American marsupials chromosomes: why study them?

Genetics and Molecular Biology

Marta Svartman¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Departamento de Biologia GeralBelo Horizonte MG ,Brazil

关键词: marsupials;    cytogenetics;    chromosome evolution;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1415-47572009005000084

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Marsupials, one of the three main groups of mammals, are only found in Australia and in the American continent. Studies performed in Australian marsupials have demonstrated the great potential provided by the group for the understanding of basic genetic mechanisms and chromosome evolution in mammals. Genetic studies in American marsupials are relatively scarce and cytogenetic data of most species are restricted to karyotype descriptions, usually without banding patterns. Nevertheless, the first marsupial genome sequenced was that of Monodelphis domestica, a South American species. The knowledge about mammalian genome evolution and function that resulted from studies on M. domestica is in sharp contrast with the lack of genetic data on most American marsupial species. Here, we present an overview of the chromosome studies performed in marsupials with emphasis on the South American species.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
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